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(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 1, 2010 ) Houston, TX - Healthcare Executive US released this special report today on a relatively new therapy for patients who have difficulty swallowing. The average person swallows about 2000 to 2400 times per day.
The American Speech-Language Association estimates 15 million Americans have problems swallowing, also known as dysphagia.
Many different diseases and disorders, as well as trauma and congenital defects can affect the swallowing process. Dysphagia is a symptom of another underlying condition.
It’s a common condition seen after a stroke, as many as 50% of of people develop dysphagia after surviving a stroke. The person recovering from a stroke thinks, “Eat that lovely bit of fudge” but the path from thought to the action isn’t working properly. The person might choke on it or it may become inhaled instead of swallowed, possibly causing aspiration pneumonia.
If swallowing difficulties are severe, it can affect one's health in general. If we cannot consume enough food and water to sustain our bodyÂ’s needs, alternative methods for nutrition, hydration and medication routes may be considered. It can lead to serious respiratory illnesses such as aspiration pneumonia, a pneumonia caused by food and liquids getting into the respiratory track. Dysphagia may also lead to emotional stress; anxiety, because of the very real possibility of choking and depression because of social isolation are two very common emotional issues many people feel with this disorder.
Doctors will run tests to determine what is causing the swallowing difficulties. Once the cause is determined, a course of treatment or therapy can be decided.
Surgical placement of a tube for feeding (PEG feedings), directly into the stomach is an option. Bypassing the swallowing problem completely, it is effective; however, it is costly, time consuming, and can lead to emotional stress and isolation. Because there is a tube placed through the wall of the stomach, risk of infection is present.
Traditional therapy for swallowing, include using thickening agents in food and use of warmth and biofeedback. Swallow therapy has enjoyed moderate success.
In 2001, the FDA approved VitalStim for use as therapy for the treatment of dysphagia. VitalStim uses mild electrical stimulation, which directly sparks movement of the swallow muscles (neuromuscular electrical stimulation or NMES for short) along with traditional swallow therapy to treat mild to moderate dysphagia.
“I like VitalStim because it is able to target the more intrinsic muscles that cannot normally be reached with traditional therapy. We have seen patients who had alternate means of receiving nutrition and hydration now able to swallow normally and come off of the feeding tubes.” Observes Cindy Pennington-Fontenot, MS CCC-SLP, Speech Therapist and Co owner of Southeast Texas Therapy Solutions.
Since earning FDA approval, several VitalStim studies have been conducted across the country to compare its effectiveness against more traditional treatments.
What these and other medical professionals across the country are reporting:
• By including VitalStim therapy along with traditional swallow therapy, they are witnessing increased positive results in their patients with dysphagia. There are notable improvements in the rate of patients who regain the ability to swallow and no longer require tube feedings,
• Reduction of the amount of re-hospitalizations, because of aspiration pneumonia.
• VitalStim is most effective in people suffering with a type of dysphagia affecting the oropharyngeal area. This is the area usually affected by a stroke. It usually requires 6 -20 treatments before results are seen. However, according to the manufacturer, some studies reported the return of the ability to swallow after three treatments.
A-MED, a home health provider in the Texas area, took notice of the findings from one particular study. VitalStim therapy was used along with traditional treatments, to test the effectiveness in reducing the amount of re-hospitalizations due to aspiration pneumonia in people with dysphagia, an unfortunate, yet common occurrence. The report noted a significant drop in the number of re-hospitalizations.
Cori Norwood, LVN, is the Community Relations Coordinator for the Nederland TX location of A-Med Home Health. Norwood also serves as the liaison for seniors who have recently returned home after hospitalization. With 18 years of nursing experience behind her, she is impressed with the results reported with using VitalStim therapy, “A study by VitalStim found sustained improvement and long-term results with swallowing. It also improved recovery times.”
Norwood also recognized the potential improvement to the quality of life VitalStim therapy could provide their clients. “A-MED is one of few companies in the area that offer VitalStim therapy.” Norwood is proud to announce.
The doctor may run tests to determine if the patient may benefit from VitalStim therapy. If indicated, the patient will be referred to a Speech-Language Pathologist or Occupational Therapist who specializes in VitalStim therapy. The therapist will manage the VitalStim therapy.
Some people may not be suitable candidates for VitalStim therapy. People who have pacemakers or placement of other devices may not be able to undergo the electrical stimulation used in this treatment. Some medical conditions such as infection or cancer may also prevent treatment. A doctor or speech therapist can help the patient to determine if it is the right treatment for them.
The FDA results, along with the results of the other studies, point to an innovative, effective treatment for dysphagia. With each successful outcome, the data supporting VitalStim grows. However, data and results of studies do not adequately reflect the true success of VitalStim: Each successful VitalStim result is another person who can once again enjoy the pleasure of a bit of lovely fudge.
Fontenot is also Rehab Director at The Meadows of Orange, Orange, TX. For more information, Fontenot may be reached at 409-313-3480, and Norwood of A-Med at 409-539-0472. A-MED is a provider of in home services including nursing care, speech and occupational therapy, as well as VitalStim therapy in the South Texas area. Co-written by Keri Littledeer, LVN, freelance writer, and Rollis Fontenot, founder of the Healthcare Executive US Blog and Linkedin Group (http://www.HealthcareExecutive.us).
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Healthcare Executive US
Rollis Fontenot III
281-377-4473
rollis@salescoachsite.com 
Source: EmailWire.com
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